Sione Tuipulotu ruled out of Scotland's Six Nations campaign, doubt for Lions tour of Australia - 'I'm sorry'
By TNT UK
Updated 20/01/2025 at 20:37 GMT
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Scotland will have to contest the forthcoming Six Nations tournament without their captain Sione Tuipulotu. The 27-year-old centre picked up a pectoral muscle injury while training with Glasgow Warriors. He is expected to return before the end of the domestic season, but the injury may mean he is forced to miss the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer.
Highlights: Scotland ease past Australia to wrap up 2024 with successive wins
Video credit: TNT Sports
Scotland have been dealt a major blow ahead of the Six Nations, with captain Sione Tuipulotu ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
Tuipulotu picked up a pectoral muscle injury while training with Glasgow Warriors, and it has now been confirmed that he will miss the tournament.
The 27-year-old centre is expected to return before the end of the domestic season, but could also be absent for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer.
"Sione will undergo surgery this week and is expected to return to action before the end of the season," Scottish Rugby said in a statement.
The centre broke his silence on Monday, taking to social media to apologise to Scottish fans for missing the tournament.
"I’m sorry Scotland," he said. "I genuinely can’t believe it, but the game is the game and I won’t doubt god’s timing. I’m right behind the bros. I will be back stronger."
Flanker Rory Darge, 24, and fly-half Finn Russell, 32, are set to co-captain Scotland in his absence.
Tuipulotu made his Scotland debut in 2021 and has been capped 30 times, forming a fine midfield partnership with Huw Jones.
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Highlights: Scotland ease past Australia to wrap up 2024 with successive wins
Video credit: TNT Sports
It has also emerged that Scotland lock Scott Cummings could miss the Six Nations with an arm fracture.
Gregor Townsend is not planning to add any players to his squad as things stand, despite the injury news.
Scotland finished fourth in last year's Six Nations and will be hoping for an improvement on that in the 2025 tournament.
Townsend's team play their opening game against Italy at Murrayfield on February 1.
- Scotland name uncapped duo Burke and Mann in Six Nations squad
- Gatland names uncapped duo in Wales' Six Nations squad
They then host Ireland the following weekend, before a clash with old rivals England at Twickenham on February 22.
Scotland finish the tournament in March with games at home to Wales and against France in Paris.
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